Golf practice target device



Jan. 20, 1953 J. l. MILLER GOLF PRACTICE TARGET DEVICE Filed July 12, 1950 Fig. 5

INVENTOR. James J Miller ATfORNEY Patented Jan. 20, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,626,152 GOLF PRACTICE TARGET DEVICE James 1. Miller, Castle Point, N. Y. Application July 12, 1950, Serial No. 173,430 3 Claims. (Cl. 27336) The invention relates to an amusement device and more especially to a device intended to simulate a game of golf.

I am aware that numerous devices for practicing golf, and especially putting, in the home or in a restricted area, have been suggested. Such arrangements, however, normally have a sameness that makes them boring after a short period. of time, and give practice only under one set of conditions.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a golf practice device in which different types of putting conditions are simulated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which requires putts of varying force and accuracy in practicing with it.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device with which a number of players can enjoy an exciting competitive game while, at the same time, their putting is improved.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of this type which is simple and inexpensive, and which can be folded into a small space for easy transportation.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which. form a part thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows in front elevation a device em.- bodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view with the wings folded; and

Figs. 4 and 5 are cross-sections on the lines 4-4 and 5-5 respectively of Fig. 1.

As shown in the drawings, the device includes a panel 2, preferably formed of plywood or a plastic. Wings 4 in the form of equilateral right triangles are each hinged at 6 along one leg to the ends of panel 2, so that when set out at right angles to the panel they will hold it at a 45 angle on the surface on which the device rests. These wings can also be folded against the panel, as shown in Fig. 3, for easy packing and transportation.

Panel 2 has three arches 8, l0 and I2 cut in from its lower edge. All the arches are of different width, the arch 8 of greatest width being at the center and having an unobstructed opening. Across the bottoms of arches l0 and I2 are small strips or snub bars I and I6, respectively. Bar l4 in the narrowest arch I0 is somewhat thicker than bar l6 of the intermediate arch l2.

The device is set on a suitable surface, such as a carpet, and golf balls are putted towards it. It will be apparent that the ball must be directed more accurately, that is, kept within a smaller angle, to go into one of the narrower arches than into the wide arch. At the same time, because of the snub bars, the ball must be struck harder. Thus the narrower arches simulate progressively longer putts than the broad arch.

Various games can be played with such a device. For example, each player may play three balls to represent one hole in golf, playing for holes I0, l2 and B successively. If the player succeeds in putting the ball through the proper hole, the three putts count 0, 1 and 2 respectively. Misses count 1, 2 and 4 respectively. Thus if the player makes holes [0 and 8, but misses hole l2, his score for that hole would be 0+2+2 or 4.

Obviously other games can be played, or the device can be used for the purpose of practice only.

While I have described herein one embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not intend to limit myself thereby except within the scope of the claims hereto or hereinafter appended.

I claim:

1. A golf practice device comprising a panel having arches therein opening in its lower edge, said arches being of different width, and the narrower of said arches having a bar extending across the bottom of its opening and offering resistance to the passage of a golf ball therethrough, the other arch being unobstructed.

2. A golf practice device comprising a panel having arches therein opening in its lower edge, said arches being of different width and each having a bar extending across the bottom of its opening and offering resistance to the passage of a golf ball therethrough, the bar of the narrower arch being thicker than the bar of the wider arch.

3. A golf practice device comprising a panel having three arches therein opening in its lower edge, said arches being of different width, the widest arch being unobstructed and the narrower arches each having a bar across the bottom of its opening offering resistance to the passage of a golf ball therethrough, the bar of the narrowest arch being thicker than the bar of the arch of intermediate width.

AMES 1. MILLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

